According to GAF, this GIS-based system is crucial for improving geological information,

Access to geological information is essential for every government, in order to assess the country’s mineral potential. It is also a cornerstone for attracting new investors to the country’s mining sector. Straightforward and comprehensive access to geological and mineral information is a key element in promoting and developing the mineral resources sector in Malawi.

The core objective of the assignment comprises the development of a GIS-based central data repository, a management cockpit and a data catalogue accessible through the internet. The system will thus support the GSD in the management, valorisation, safe storage and dissemination of geoscientific data for the entire country.

GAF has outlined the core activities for the 12-month project. These include

Assessment of capacities and user requirements at the Geological Survey Department;

Identification and involvement of relevant stakeholders and related programmes;

Inventory of existing geoscientific and mine operation data;

Organisation and supervision of the scanning and digitising of existing analogue geological, geochemical, geophysical, and geo-hazard data;

Data quality control and database integration;

System and database design, compilation, and implementation;

Software development, prototyping and training.

GAF has developed a GeMinIS (Geological and Mineral Information System) platform in which data from various geoscientific disciplines, governmental institutions – like geological surveys – and mining companies so that mineral exploration and mine production data can be analysed for mineral potentials. This system also serves as a data repository. For Malawi’s system, the GeMinIS platform will be customised to support the context and needs of the Geological Survey Department and potential users of the data.